No inquiry into ED wait times

The Canberra Liberals' bid for an inquiry ACT emergency department waiting times has failed.

A recent update from the Health Directorate shows only half of patients presenting to the emergency department are being seen on time.

Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson had moved a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling for an auditor-general's inquiry.

He says there has been some progress in elective surgery waiting times following an auditor-general's report.

"The auditor-general did that and she provided recommendations that have seen some improvements in elective surgery and I welcome that, it's great news," he said.

"We need to do something similar for our emergency departments because it's quite clear that the Government has proven incapable of actually addressing the problems that we have."

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says audits have already been done.

"We have expended enormous amounts of resources and energy into auditing the emergency department waiting times ... and I'd have to be convinced about what extra would be achieved," she said.

She says the solution does not rest in the emergency department.

"The single biggest contributor to improving the emergency department performance is improving the performance of the rest of the hospital," she said.

But Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury says another audit is not needed, and he successfully amended the motion to provide a 12 month review of emergency department performance.

Mr Rattenbury's amendment also requires Ms Gallagher to report to the assembly next month on the Government's plan to improve emergency department access.

"I do disagree with Mr Hanson about the way this needs to be done at the moment," he said.

"I think it is appropriate for the Government to come and outline their strategy and what they're going to do to improve access to the emergency department. If after that there's still dissatisfaction by the assembly then we can ask the auditor-general to come in."

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.